University of Mount Union
PAE-8: Support Programs for Under-Represented Groups

In 2010, Mount Union developed the Diversity Umbrella. The goal of the Umbrella is to get students to look through the eyes of someone different than they are, and ask people to step outside of the stereotypes they deal with everyday and try dealing with the stereotypes others deal with, to see how it feels. Under this organization are several other student organizations dedicated to supporting under-represented groups. These include: The Black Student Union The Association of Women Students The Association of International Students The Gay Straight Alliance Inspriational Voices of Praise Each of these groups attempts to provide a social environment for students, not just educational activities. Each organization has particular services its provides. For example, the Association of International Students provides transportation to and from airports, transportation for shopping trips, and events during school breaks giving International Students an opportunity to visit other parts of the United States. The Black Student Union offers Men's and Women's Roundtables where issues the students are facing are dicussed, as well as societal issues, Black History Month events, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day events.

Mount Union has established the Diversity Initative Steering Committee, which is formed from diverse faculty and staff to address issues of diversity for faculty and staff. DISC holds educational events and supports the activities of student groups to bring light to diversity issues. Mount Union is currently exploring the possiblity of a dissertation year fellowship for under-represented individuals. A person in this position would teach at Mount Union while he/she finished up a dissertation, and be available to students interested in pursuing higher education.

Mount Union has established the Diversity Initative Steering Committee, which is formed from diverse faculty and staff to address issues of diversity for faculty and staff. DISC holds educational events and supports the activities of student groups to bring light to diversity issues. Mount Union also has a minority internship program called the Wayne Manzilla Diversity Internship Program, after the first Africam-American to graduate from Mount Union. The goal of this program is to offer a job, in a variety of fields, to a graduating senior. That person is then eligible to pursue a master's degree, at no cost to them, while working for Mount Union. Additionally, this person serves as a resource to other students looking to further their education.